ANZAC Cove is a small cove on the Gallipoli Battlefield in Turkey. Anzac cove in the Peninsula became famous as the site of World War I landing of the ANZAC on April 25 1915. The cove is a mere 600m long, bounded by the headlands of Ari Burnu (sphinx) to the north and Little Ari Burnu, known as Hell Spit, to the south. Following the landing at Anzac Cove, the beach became the main base for the Australian and New Zealand troops for the eight months of the Battle of Gallipoli.
ANZAC Cove was always within kilometre of the front-line, well within the range of Turkish artillery though spurs from the high ground of Plugge's Plateau, which rose above Ari Burnu, provided some protection. The first objective for soldiers coming ashore in enemy-held territory was to establish a beachhead. It was a safe section of beach protected from enemy attack where supplies and extra troops could be safely brought ashore. Commander of ANZAC, General William Birdwood, made his headquarters in a gully overlooking the cove, as did the commanders of the New Zealand and Australian Division and the Australian 1st Division. It was on 29 April that General Birdwood recommended that the original landing site between the two headlands be known as "ANZAC Cove" and that the surrounding, hitherto nameless, area occupied by his corps be known as "ANZAC".
